What is it about being creative that we believe we are or we aren’t? How many of us have already by the age of 20 decided that we haven’t a creative bone in our bodies. Well peeps – great news, creativity is the gift we can all express in different forms and is something each and every one of us have, as our innate nature. So even if we draw like a four year old or our writing resembles the ability of someone who is seven, there is no excuse for that excuse that keeps us stuck in those places. Developing our awareness of our innate self can have positive effect on our relationships, work and personal clarity.

Creativity isn’t exclusive to people like Picasso, Hemingway, Beethoven or Donatello. Just being human gives us the ability. Using practices like writing, doodling, painting as a tool to evolve this brain of ours, lies in the power of us as individuals. Simple activities have the power to wash away the clutter of our minds to expose clarity in making decisions. Simple practices brought into our daily life, give us the possibility to be innovative and creative in our work environment. Simply taking the time to create something, even if our attempt of a portrait of our child resembles the family pet, supports expanded awareness of our true nature.

Do our creations have to look good? Not going by the hundreds of strokes that I have put to canvas, where the intention for blue became grey.

Do they have to be practical? Lets hope not, the chair I created looked more like a torture chamber for people no taller than 50cm.

Do our creative productions have to be worth millions to be seen as something that is worth doing? The worth of this exploration goes beyond money.

Although these expectations are the very reasons we don’t jump into our creative selves, it’s time to open up and let these outdated beliefs be crushed by the knowing, that there are so many rewards that can be experienced, just by giving it a go. When we choose to use tools to evolve this brain of ours, our minds then become open to possibility with creative solution in the practical world we call – ‘life.’

 “You see things and say Why? But I dream things that never were and say ‘Why not?” – George Bernard Shaw

I cannot put in words the personal growth and expanded awareness that took place in my decision to write fluff. Half the time it didn’t even make sense and often, more times than not, that sense was only sense to me.  Whether I am writing, painting, drawing I now know they are moments in time which have powerful effect on my daily life – I just love making the choices that serve me now.

Benefits of bringing a practice of drawing, painting, or journal writing into our daily life:

• Expression
• Clear the mind for clarity
• Releasing internal emotional contractions, which make us more reactive in life. This opens us up to responsive behaviors that serve our life experience.
• Develops personal skill sets.
• Opens us up to spontaneity.
• Develops curiosity in other facets of life.
• Stimulates our compassion and connection to others.
• Slows down our internal chatter, which causes stress related illness or reactions.
• Relieves anxiety.
• Washes away unexpressed pains, frustrations and regrets. Whether they are inherited, experienced or perceived.
• Relieves tension.

Whether we sit down and doodle, come up with ideas how to make a more exciting dinner or pick up a pen to write a journal, these are all moments in time where we are firing up the front lobe and stimulating our evolved human brain for expanded personal awareness. Letting go of the idea that ‘we can’t,’ might just expose the Picasso in ourselves.

Practices for exploration:

1. Take a pencil and paper and draw the tree outside (it doesn’t even matter if it doesn’t look remotely the same!)
2. Take time to write a journal when you first wake up in the morning. This practice can often take away the internal fog. What you write doesn’t even need to make sense.
3. Get some color pencils and just do shapes.
4. Doodle on a notepad.
5. Go to drawing classes.